SOCIAL distancing barriers installed in Stourbridge High Street to help prevent the spread of coronavirus are to be tweaked to help town centre traders who need access for deliveries.

Traffic has been deterred and parking prevented in the High Street since barriers were put in place in June when non-essential shops were allowed to re-open - as part of efforts to help shoppers stay safe and keep 1-2 metres apart amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Although there's no sign of the barriers being removed completely any time soon - Dudley Council has announced today (Wednesday August 26) that a section on one side of the High Street and Market Street will be released to create space for on-street parking, loading and unloading.

The changes are being introduced following a consultation which saw an overwhelming majority of town traders and businesses call for better access to their businesses.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley's cabinet member for environment, highways and street services, said: "As always we are listening to our businesses and traders to see how we can support them while working to keep everyone safe and we know this will be a welcome revision to the measures in place in Stourbridge.

"For many of our visitors the measures remain in place as usual, but we are pleased to be able to provide this additional space to load and unload."

She added: "We can't put everything back to normal at the moment but we're doing what we can to keep our businesses going. The last thing we want is for shops not to have their deliveries."

People can view an updated map showing where parking and loading/unloading will be permitted - at www.dudleybusinessfirst.org.uk/reopening-your-business/

The town centre will remain subject to temporary measures to ensure social distancing can be maintained at pinch points where the pavements narrow.

Work to remove some of the barriers in Market Street and a small section of the High Street is due to take place on Thursday night (August 27) ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.